---

myeloma headlines

please click on the headlines below to read the complete article

Advocacy program for Revlimid launches in Manitoba and New Brunswick 
If you are a resident of the provinces of New Brunswick or Manitoba, we are seeking your help in advocating for public funding in these 2 respective provinces for Revlimid, a vital and effective treatment for Multiple Myeloma. Please go to drug coverage and access (top right tab) to download all of the materials you’ll need t take action and join use in this important effort. Thank you for your support.

---

Thought Leader Perspective: Dr. Robert Kyle on Myeloma Treatments that Require Further Study
This article will cover the role of clinical trials and key issues in the treatment of multiple myeloma as well as promising treatments for the future.

---

A new cause when an affliction hits home
The donors: David and Molly Bloom
The Gift: Raising $4.1-million
The Cause: Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital
The Reason: To finance a chair in multiple myeloma research.

---

Vitamin C Inhibits Anti-Myeloma Activity Of Velcade
More recent studies show that vitamin C can counteract the activity of certain cancer
chemotherapy agents

---

Montreal researchers study new technique that could revolutionize stem-cell transplants
Montreal researchers are taking part in what could become a breakthrough in stem cell transplants, by leading the first transplant of a mismatched donor.

---

New Velcade Combination Therapy Effective For Newly Diagnosed Myeloma Patients
A new study suggests that Velcade (bortezomib), in combination with other drugs, is a better treatment method for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma than the previous standard drugs.

---

Treatment Trends For Multiple Myeloma – Options For Elderly Multiple Myeloma Patients
Elderly people with multiple myeloma have better treatment options now than ten years ago

---

Treatment Trends For Multiple Myeloma – Autologous Stem Cell Transplants (from The Myeloma Beacon)
This article focuses on Dr. Reece’s findings about autologous stem cell transplants.

---

Single-Agent Actimid And Combination Actimid-Dexamethasone Regimens Are Promising Treatments For Relapsed Myeloma                                                                                                                                                              Actimid, a new drug being developed by Celgene Corporation as a treatment for multiple myeloma, is a molecular derivative of thalidomide (Thalomid).

---

Treatment Trends For Multiple Myeloma – Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplants
This article focuses on Dr. Reece’s findings about allogeneic stem cell transplants.

---

Velcade-Doxil-Dexamethasone Combination Treatment Is Highly Effective In Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients
A combination regimen of Velcade (bortezomib), Doxil (pegylated liposomal doxorubicin), and dexamethasone (Decadron), known as the VDD regimen, is highly effective for initial treatment of multiple myeloma, according to a recent article published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

---

New Proteasome Inhibitor, Carfilzomib, Has Significant Activity in Relapsed Myeloma
Researchers have reported that carfilzomib monotherapy is highly active in patients with relapsed myeloma and can be administered safely for at least one year in responding patients.

---

Myeloma Canada Applauds Decision by Alberta and Saskatchewan to Fund Revlimid®
The provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan have become the third and fourth provinces respectively to approve funding for Revlimid®.

---

'Treason' By Immune System Cells Aids Growth Of Multiple Myeloma
The discovery not only helps explain a little-understood aspect of myeloma biology, but also suggests a new angle of attack on the disease.

---

Ontarians with Rare Cancer Offered New Hope
New multiple myeloma treatment Revlimid to be covered by Ontario Public Drug Programs.

---

Sault Ste. Marie Woman Helps Get Cancer Drug Approved in Ontario
The efforts of a Sault Ste. Marie woman have helped get a life-saving cancer drug publicly covered.

---

Mahj For Myeloma
October 28, 2009 - An evening of mahjong, bridge and Scrabble in support of Multiple Myeloma Research at The Princess Margaret

---

Æterna Zentaris Partner, Keryx, Announces Agreement with FDA
on a Special Protocol Assessment for Phase 3 Trial with Perifosine (KRX-0401) for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

---

Myeloma Canada Applauds Ontario Government’s Decision to Fund Revlimid
Ontario has become the second province, after British Columbia, to approve funding for Revlimid® (or lenalidomide) in combination with dexamethasone as second-line therapy for the treatment of the blood cancer multiple myeloma.

---

A Canadian First : The Molly and David Bloom Chair in Multiple Myeloma Research at the Princess Margaret Hospital
Ever since the 1970’s, under the leadership of Dr. Daniel Bergsagel, the Princess Margaret Hospital has been recognized as a leading institution in the investigation and treatment of multiple myeloma.

---

Vegetarians ‘Avoid More Cancers’
Vegetarians are generally less likely than meat eaters to develop cancer but this does not apply to all forms of the disease, a major study published in the British Journal of Cancer has found.

---

Time-To-Live : Canadians Lack Confidence in Access to Cancer Medications
Access to new treatments vital, as incidence of multiple myeloma continues to rise.

---

Quebec Approves Velcade as First-Line Treatment for Newly-diagnosed Blood Cancer Patients
Myeloma Canada, patients and professionals applaud Quebec for its leadership in providing patients with improved treatment access

---

Ontario Government Announces Reimbursement of Velcade as First-line Treatment for Newly-diagnosed Blood Cancer Patients
Myeloma Canada, patients and professionals applaud Ontario for its leadership in providing patients with treatment access

---

Ottawa Seizing Cheaper Thalidomide Smuggled in from Mexico
Cancer patients desperate enough to order cheaper, unlicensed versions of the drug thalidomide from Mexico now face another challenge to getting treatment: Federal authorities have reportedly begun seizing supplies of the life-extending medicine at the border.

---

Canadians Smuggle in Cheaper Thalidomide
Faced with massive costs here for a life-extending drug with a dark history, many desperately ill Canadian cancer patients are turning to Mexico, Brazil and other developing countries for far-cheaper supplies of Thalidomide.

---

Myeloma Canada Responds to Thalidomide Article
Thalidomide and newer drugs, such as Revlimid and Velcade, can add years to the lives of myeloma patients yet, across Canada, they face fragmented, confusing and discriminatory drug payment policies.

---

Green Tea Blocks Velcade Benefits
“The most immediate conclusion,” Axel H. Schönthal of the University of Southern California School of Medicine says, is that “patients undergoing cancer therapy with Velcade must avoid green tea, and in particular all of its concentrated [polyphenol extracts]" that are so readily available in health-food stores and online.

---

Nova Scotia Says No to Revlimid Funding
The result of the vote was a majority in favour of not recommending funding. 18 votes were cast with one dissenting opinion recorded.

---

New Guidelines For Serum Free Light Chain Assays
In September of 2008, Leukemia published guidelines developed by the International Myeloma Working Group for serum free light chain analysis in multiple myeloma. 

---

To access and read more articles of interest to the myeloma community, please go to news & updates.